Rock band Vendetta -- featuring, from left, Matt McMindes, Dominick Gallicchio, Brian Tinker, Bruce DiBella, and Matt Giglio -- will bring the Fourth of July alive at The Gig at Turning Stone Resort Casino this Friday at 9:30 p.m. There is no cover charge.
Photo from www.vendettaband.net

Up and coming country star Jarrod Niemann, pictured, and country music duo Love and Theft both will perform at the Vernon Downs grandstand tonight. Tickets are $15 and the concert is a fundraiser for the Food Bank of Central New York.
Photo from www.nashville.com

Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona and Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel and harness racing track in Vernon will both offer a festive Fourth of July with their holiday activities and special events spread over the entire long weekend and beyond.

At Turning Stone this Tuesday, the Journey to Augusta National Golf Club and The Masters Tournament invites area youths to the local qualifying event for the national Drive, Chip and Putt Championship.

After a successful first year of the championship, the Masters Tournament, United States Golf Association and the PGA of America have expanded the youth golf competition into all 50 states, with Turning Stone Resort chosen to host a local qualifier Tuesday starting 9 a.m.

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Registration is free, and open to all boys and girls from ages 7-15.

The top finishers will advance to sub-regional qualifying in August. If they win there, they move on to regional qualifying, and the top performers in the nation will earn a spot in the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship Final at the famous Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, on April 5, 2015. The championship kicks off The Masters Tournament week, and will be televised worldwide on The Golf Channel.

“Turning Stone Resort is thrilled to be hosting a local qualifying event for the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship,” said Ray Halbritter, Oneida Nation Representative and CEO of Oneida Nation Enterprises. “This event is for any youngster, no matter their skill level, who wants to enjoy a unique golf experience. I strongly encourage parents to register their youngsters today and tell their friends that this type of fun golf competition can create lasting memories for all families.”

Participants will be in separate divisions in four age categories. Each of them will compete in the three skills -- drive, chip and putt -- and will accumulate points in each skill contest. The top three overall point-earners in each of the boys’ and girls’ divisions from the four age brackets will advance to the sub-regional qualifying round of the competition, to be held in Schenectady.

Registration is now open. Entries are limited to 200 participants and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants must have their parent or guardian complete an online entry application to be eligible.

For more information about the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship, including official rules, qualifying sites or to register, visit: www.DriveChipandPutt.com

Entertainment over the next week at Turning Stone’s many venues includes:

July 3

• Country Line Dancing, with DVDJ Biggie at Tin Rooster at 10 p.m.

• Rock the Mic open mic and karaoke at The Gig at 9 p.m. (sign-up at 8 p.m.)

• Steve Laureti at Turquoise Tiger at 10 p.m.

• Red, White and Foam!, with DJ Mado and DJ Dread at Lava. Doors open at 10 p.m. with free entry for 21 and over and $20 cover for under 21.

July 4

• Whiskey City at Tin Rooster at 10 p.m.

• Vendetta at The Gig at 9:30 p.m.

• ESP at Turquoise Tiger at 10 p.m.

• Ladies First, with DJ Davey D, at Lava. Doors open at 10 p.m. No cover before midnight; $10 cover for men after midnight.

July 5

• Cosmic Bingo for 18 and older in the Bingo Hall at 10:30 p.m. $11.

• Beadle Brothers at Tin Rooster at 10 p.m. $5 cover.

• Gridley Paige at The Gig at 9:30 p.m.

• ESP at Turquoise Tiger at 10 p.m.

• Special Guest DJ Sean Perry at Lava. Doors open at 10 p.m. No cover before midnight; $20 cover after midnight.

July 6

• Backyard BBQ, featuring live music by Big Jon Short, in the Exit 33 Atrium and Tin Rooster. No cover. Features Tin Rooster’s “all you can eat” barbecue buffet from noon to 8 p.m. for $18.95, and live music from 2-8 p.m.

July 9

• Boston in the Event Center at 8 p.m. $40-$50.

While rocking out to the high energy shows at The Gig, guests can also take advantage of their “Pitcher & Pie” promotion of a pizza and a pitcher of beer for just $15 any Thursday, Friday or Saturday from 7:30-11 p.m. The nearby Atrium Bar at their Exit 33 entertainment complex also has half-price sushi every Wednesday through Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m.

For a full list of promotions at Turning Stone, visit: www.turningstone.com.

At Vernon Downs, the festivities kick off tonight at 8 p.m. with two rising country stars live in concert at their grandstand. Both Jerrod Niemann, famed for his songs like “Lover, Lover” and “I’ll Drink to That,” and the duo Love And Theft, known for their tunes “Runaway” and “Angel Eyes,” will play on their outdoor stage.

But the concert is not just about energetic country boot-stomping live music … the sales of the $15 admission tickets will benefit the Food Bank of Central New York, plus American Racing and Entertainment chairman Jeff Gural will personally add another $10 to the food bank donation for every ticket sold.

Tickets are on sale at the Vernon Downs Player’s Club and all Ticketmaster outlets. The goal of funds to be raised for the food bank is $100,000.

Post times this weekend are Friday and Saturday at 6:45 p.m., with a special Sunday post time at 1:15 p.m. Vernon Downs will also light up the sky with a fiery fireworks display this Friday night.

Ring Eyed Pete’s Bar on Vernon Downs’ gaming floor delivers live music every weekend, and with the holiday their usual two nights of local acts will expand to three. This week’s entertainment at Ring Eyed Pete’s features:

• July 3: Seven Hills at 9 p.m.

• July 4: Matt Chase and the Thunder Canyon Band at 9 p.m.

• July 5: Custom Taylor Band at 9 p.m.

For a full list of all upcoming promos at Vernon Downs, log on to: www.vernondowns.com.

About the Author

Mike Jaquays, a nearly life-long resident of Sherrill, is a freelance writer at the Oneida Dispatch. Mike graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 1986 with a degree in mass communications and is now on a quest to spotlight the extraordinary stories of ordinary folks. He also spanks a mean bass with the Oneida-based classic rock band Coston. Reach him at mikejake1164@gmail.com or follow Mike on Twitter @mikejake1164 Reach the author at mikejake1164@gmail.com
or follow Mike on Twitter: @mikejake1164.